Earnhardt told The Associated Press he was not asked by local businessmen Felix Sabates to join a potential ownership group, but said he did contact Marcus Smith, the CEO of Speedway Motorsports, to say he'd be interested.

Current Panthers owner Jerry Richardson announced in December he's selling the team.

Earnhardt, who lives in Kannapolis, North Carolina, says he told the CEO of Speedway Motorsports, "`Hey, Marcus, if you guys get in the middle of it and you think it's a good business deal, I definitely have some interest,'" Earnhardts says he "wouldn't have the kind of money where I would move the needle too much, but it would be something to have a lot of pride in."

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AP Motorsports Writer Jenna Fryer contributed to this report.

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